January Frugaleers thread brings no judgment just friendly banter & advice for like minded folk

[Happierwithouthim]

A place where all are welcome regardless of income, level of debt or reason for being in debt or debt free.

We're friendly, full of good advice and open to new ideas where to shave off expense and how to live your best life on the income you have.

Over the years we've celebrated debt payoffs, babies, leaving jobs, getting different jobs, bonuses, and we've been there for each other through difficult times.

New posters welcome always & I hope posters who have fallen off thread will rejoin too

They fit perfectly, measured them as I was shown by podiatrist by taking out insoles and checking my feet fit inside it. Phew!

good luck nessa

good luck for monday nessa - you'll be back in the swim soon, and feeling the benefits of your extra money.

Welcome to frugal and eek - like others have said, not feeling shame, or berating yourself for past 'mistakes' is a much better headspace to be in. There are lots of good resources online to help keep you motivated and provide practical advice - like MoneySaving Expert, to pick one big name. Have you looked at switching credit card balances to 0%, for example? Making Money podcast also has a good episode on debt.

Fourth NSD today, five to go. I have my French class tomorrow, so will be kept busy with prep, no time to spend anything! DH has just arranged a dinner out on Thursday - I've told him I'm not spending until Monday, and he will need to pick up the tab, but I can't avoid tube fares, so that will be £7. I could use the joint account, I suppose, there's still a few quid in there, and it gets topped on Friday. 🤔 DH is not well, though, has a nasty cold/flu, so we might not go at all.

Hi @Frugal25 and @eekwhatnow great to have more people join and keep us all on track.

best of luck @NessaSmith with the new job.

today was €44.50 in Lidl utilising a 10 off 50 coupon. I’ve 4 more of these for the next 4 weeks so I’m looking to strategically use these and spend as close to €50 per week as possible.

then €747 on flights for summer holiday. One way! Anyway holiday is fully booked now so I can just look forward to it!

Good luck @nessa !!!! You will be amazing!
I spent £2.19 today on photos for daughters homework but other than that, a day at home making cookies and enjoying the sunshine.
I was looking forward to watching the batch lady, hmmm, will give it a go still but promos aren't enticing.
I'm hoping to get my 10% off at Lidl this week as long as I hit the target but that's only £40 away so I will!

Fair was £20
Plumber visit to replace the waste trap under the sink. Not been billed yet but he is reasonable.
Good luck in the new job Nessa also North
Slow cooked a joint of beef BBQ style then shredded it. Loads left over for tomorrow and freezer. Going to make sandwiches for work rather than a meal deal.

I need to do a mid week bread milk & fruit stop this morning

Feel good today as made extra dinner last night so there was enough left for both kids to take in for packed lunches.
Trying to write down everything I actually spend too as I have a budget with literally everything on but some of the figures (food/car) are very approximate!

Writing everything down is a great start. You soon see where all of your money goes.
look at your debt interest rates and if secured or unsecured
can you move to lower interest rates? Pay the highest unsecured first.
rather than pay the min if you can afford it set up a standing order for slightly about the last min. Then you are chipping away at the balance as well as interest

£32 Sainsbury but £10 was dish washer tablets

If you can set up a small savings DD get a bit of an emergency fund so not adding to debt if you get something unexpected

don’t forget to budget for annual expense such as Christmas throughout the year
the side order of chips / reastie bargain threads are excellent

Thanks @lifelongfrugaleer those are really good tips

Above not about the min

Look at your income as well. Are you claiming everything you are entitled to, are you using loyalty schemes, do you look for the best price on all purchases.

it’s a chuff on but there is something to be said for selling stuff you no longer want. I made £100 on vinted by getting rid of dc old clothes at low prices. Like a couple of ££. Was stuff underpriced, yes in some cases, some stuff didn’t sell & went to the chazzer. I gave it a month to sell. Was it hard work for the return- probably
but I have less clutter and I’m neutral on buying new stuff

NessaSmith - good luck with the new job.

Payday yesterday, so first set of big bills out (mortgage), next set go out 1st of month and then small ones dribble out; so updated Finance spreadsheet.

I compromised on the boots - I found the same pair on Vinted (let's hope they are in the condition as stated) 100 quid cheaper so they are on the way. Maybe when finances are better I will reconsider the other boots (different colour)

Big supermarket shop today and then Costco on Sunday - so meal planning etc will be easier and reduce the small runs to the corner shop, which whilst convenient is not cheap.

Have a good one, FF25

Checking in.

had my op yesterday. Now home and installed on couch with catface.

Hope you recover well from the anaesthetic em

£18 in George picking up bits for some of the GCs. Also splashed out on a Big Mac but had a voucher for that so it was cheaper. £1.23 on Donuts for other GCs to have after school.

@FrugalFeb25 i hope the boots work out! i must look into selling some things on vinted. They are too good to put in the clothing banks as i think most of this stuff doesn't go to the charity shops but i don't need to make lots from them.

glad you are ok after the op @ememem84 hope your recovery goes well.

Today has been a car maintenance spending day. €280 on new tyres, €55 on a new headlight! and €60 for NCT booking.

Also €70 for the cleaner.

Priceless having the whole house clean at once! Hoping no more spending today as its been expensive. However we do save for these expenses and recently we have been very good about not dipping into those savings so money is there

Wishing you a straightforward recovery Em

Thanks guys. Op went well. Out with troublemaker booby. In with shiny new one.

Very best wishes

Pleased you are home now Em rest up with couch and cat time.

Another Vinted user here. Reminder to self that I have some clothes stashed in the attic to go on there, moved up there at Christmas.

£1.10 Tesco
£3.60 Boots although I took a sandwich was still hungry! Heavy day at work but WFH now until 7pm then off until Monday. Half term here.

Had a low spend working week which I am pleased with and happy with the diet this week I spent £1.23 on eggs in marks yesterday and that's it.
Woop.

£23.50 in B&M .
They have some glorious cheap and cheerful stuff in there .
Huge Spring wreath £12
Coir doormat £3
Bath mat £3
Oven glove £2.50

NSD 5, 4 to go! DH still suffering from snot and exhaustion, so tomorrow's dinner postponed. Can't say I'm sorry. I did take the money I was going to use on tube fares tomorrow from the joint account and buy some wickedly expensive and utterly delicious ice-cream from the local deli. No UPFs, just proper fats, eggs and sugar.

Martin Lewis advising to check your tariff against the energy cap and lock in a better deal if you can by fixing. So that's my frugal task tomorrow.